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Monday, November 24, 2014

Bohol Island hopping FUN experience

When we visited Panglao Bohol for the first time (September 2011) we were not able to experience island hopping activity due to lack of time, so for our second visit we made sure that we will experience this one of a kind activity by this time. So for our 3rd day in Panglao Bohol, we were scheduled for an island hopping tour comprised of Dolphin
watching and snorkeling at Balicasag Island. We took our breakfast as early as
5:00 in the morning because our call time with the boatman was 5:30 in the
morning. Alonaland resort arranged our Island hopping tour for 1500 good for 6
to 8pax. Before that morning we already prepared our “Baon” because we’ve
already researched in advance that food in the island is so expensive. We
brought with us water, eggplant, salted egg, tomatoes and marinated pork chop.

Island hopping with Seen 7

Sunset Panglao Island

It was 6 in
the morning when we set ourselves in the water and started chasing dolphins. Good
thing, there were already dolphins in the area when we arrived. Our boatman
said that there are season that dolphins are not visible so we are lucky enough
to see them in the wild. The catchy thing about this activity is that Dolphins
only appear in the surface of the ocean for a few seconds and then instantaneously disappear
without warning. But it was so fun seeing them in their habitat realizing that
they were just few arms away from us. Some dolphins even share some exhibition
moves to us. We felt like we were kids playing hide and seek with the cutesy
dolphins and the feeling was so extraordinary.

Dolphin watching in Bohol

Dolphin watching in Bohol

Dolphin watching in Bohol

Dolphin watching in Bohol

Dolphin watching in Bohol

Here are some video clips from our dolphin watching activity:

After an
hour of chasing the dolphins, we headed to Balicasag Island to snorkel and have
our brunch. Our boatman advised us to rent not only some snorkeling gear
but some aqua shoes as well because the shore is covered with sharp coral
pieces and we can encounter sharp rocks in the snorkeling area. To reach the snorkeling area one must ride a
small boat (fits 2-3 person) that will be paddled manually by a guide. We paid
an additional 400 per head for the rental of snorkeling gear, aqua shoes and small
boat ride. We stay in Balicasag Island for almost 5 hours including our lunch
time, a proof that we really enjoyed our snorkeling activity. Who would have
not enjoyed seeing the rich marine biodiversity of Balicasag Island? The water
of Balicasag is so clear and you can bring bread or biscuits to see see
different kinds of fishes of different color and sizes. What I really love
about this activity is the calm and shallow water (about 4 to 5 feet) where you
can find the marine sanctuary. You don’t really need to be a good swimmer to
fish feed and sneak at the corals. But if you are a good diver you will surely
enjoy the barred area (with buoy) because underneath is a ravine and a tunnel
where divers pass by.

Balicasag Reef Bohol

Balicasag Reef Bohol

You can just stand to see colorful fishes - Balicasag Reef Bohol

Ravine - Balicasag Reef Bohol

After the
tiring activity we enjoyed our lunch in a picnic table with our “baon” and an
additional menu we bought from the island.

After eating, we rest for a
while then enjoy the island. We planned to go to Virgin Island but our boatman
warned us that it’s already high tide and the sandbar is not visible anymore so
we decided to go back and enjoyed the rest of our day in the pool area of
Alonaland Resort. We really enjoyed this
day especially the snorkeling activity where we saw how protected marine life
in Bohol province. It was indeed a sooooo worthy day!

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Seen7

Seen7 (formerly B4Life) - that's how we call our group that was officially formed 2008. Since then, we achieved different travels & discoveries around the Philippines but with limited budget 'coz we believe that traveling need not be expensive, as long as you have the teamwork & right strategy in budgeting. In our every travel we learn not only w/ the culture, people & the place itself, most likely we learn something new with each other & our bonding gets stronger! And all these experiences, lessons, & fun we wanna share to the world. Enjoy LIFE!